The party marked the end of an expedition to the South Pole. The baby’s father, a Warrant Officer Second Class with the Rifles who took part in the expedition, described the Prince as “a natural” with the infant.

“Kate said the baby was ‘very cute’ and had doting eyes on him,” added the father.

Of course, all eyes have been on the royal newlyweds to have a baby. A royal source told PEOPLE recently that like any couple, William and Kate “will let nature and life take its course.”

In the meantime, William and Kate plan to celebrate their anniversary weekend with friends in the U.K. The couple will likely spend their actual anniversary on Sunday together at home in north Wales.

The quiet, private day is a world away from their wedding of last April 29 when the world watched them say “I do.”

The Duchess of Cambridge with baby Hugo Eric Scott Vicary and his dad Vic VicaryJohn Stillwell/Landov